CEO of Kellogg North America to Retire

Supplier restructures to drive future growth

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. -- Brad Davidson, president of Kellogg North America, will retire after three decades of service with Kellogg Co.

"It's with mixed feelings that I announce that I am retiring to spend more time with my family,” Davidson said. "During my career that spanned four decades at the Kellogg Co., I've had the privilege to come to work every day and do something I truly love. Now, it's time for me to spend the next part of my life fully sharing every day with the people I love. I wish my Kellogg family all the best.”

"Brad's deep business knowledge, strong commercial leadership and operational expertise benefited Kellogg greatly throughout his career with the company,” said John Bryant, president and CEO, Kellogg Co. "We congratulate Brad and his family and thank him for his years of service to our great company.”

The company also announced several structure enhancements to drive growth:

Paul Norman, president, Kellogg International, who has been serving as president, Kellogg Europe on an interim basis, is appointed to the newly created role of chief growth officer. In this role, Norman will be responsible for helping develop Kellogg Co.'s long-term category strategies, including driving scalable, consumer-driven brand-building and breakthrough innovation.

Chris Hood, who currently leads Kellogg Europe Snacks, will succeed Norman as president, Kellogg Europe. Hood joined Kellogg with the 2012 acquisition of Pringles and has a proven track record of building successful brands and retail partnerships, as well as driving product and supply-chain innovation in the European, Asian and North American consumer product markets.

The roles of president, Kellogg North America and president, Kellogg International will be eliminated.

The Kellogg North America business units (U.S. Morning Foods, U.S. Snacks, U.S. Frozen Foods, U.S. Specialty Channels and Canada) will now report directly to CEO Bryant, reflecting the size and importance of these businesses.

"The moves we announced today, including creating a longer-term strategy role with the chief growth officer position and having the three international regions and the North American business units report directly into me, reflect the need to drive scalable ideas through a flatter, more nimble and execution-oriented global organization,” said Bryant, "and to position the company well for future growth.”

All of these moves are effective Oct. 1.

Battle Creek, Mich.-based Kellogg Co. is the world's leading cereal company; second-largest producer of cookies, crackers and savory snacks; and a leading North American frozen-foods company.